Taiwanese Government Grant Introduction

 Much has been said of the Taiwanese government’s commitment to innovation. However, for foreign entrepreneurs even those with ARCs—permanent residency, obtaining government funding has been nothing short of daunting. Many foreign entrepreneurs who have been encouraged by various government agencies to tap the government will only come up empty, and will find the process to be frustrating, leading many to question whether the “free money” is as real as the proverbial pot of the gold at the end of the rainbow.

​Why apply for grants? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Having worked with a number of companies that have successfully received government grants, we at least can ascertain that government funds exist. One good thing about receiving government funding is that once the government commits to it, the funding is a certainty provided you meet the conditions that the government outlines. Unlike private investors in Taiwan who often back out of investments even after having signed a term sheet, the Taiwanese government money offers certainty to the entrepreneur who is struggling to keep his head above water.

However, the one drawback to government funding is that it does take an army of consultants, accountants, grant writers, etc. Many foreign entrepreneurs often complain that they wish the process can be easier. However, the reality of things is that to successfully apply for a grant is quite overwhelming even for Taiwanese. It really is not just a language issue. The work involved is more a reflection of how vast the government bureaucracy is, a remnant of its bygone days.

Fair enough. So, where can I find those grants available?

We have put together what we believe is a pretty comprehensive, but not complete, list of grant programs currently available in Taiwan. What you will discover is that the grant programs are administered by different government departments who each control their own “pot of gold.” And, from each department’s budget for grants, money is further divided between programs that are national (central government) or at the local (municipal) level.

• ​A+ Industrial innovative R&D program (A+企業創投研發淬鍊計畫) Website: Chinese
• Bureau of Energy Ministry of Economic Affairs  (經濟部能源局) Website: Chinese, English​
• Conventional Industry Technology Development, CITD ​(協助傳統產業技術開發計畫) Website: Chinese
• Council of Agriculture Executive Yuan (行政院農業委員會) Website: Chinese
• Ministry of Culture (文​化部) Website: Chinese
• Ministry of Science and Technology (科技部) Website: Chinese, English
• Small Business Innovation Research, SBIR (經濟部小型企業創新研發計畫) Website: Chinese
• Service Industry Innovation Research, SIIR (服務業創研發計畫) Website: Chinsese
• Industry Incentive Taipei, SITI  (臺北市產業發展獎勵補助計畫) Website: English, Chinese
• Taiwan Industry Innovation Platform Program, TIIP, (產業升級創新平台輔導計畫) by Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部工業局) Website: ​Chinese

More info
Information portal
Startup Portal  (新創圓夢網) by Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, MOEA (經濟部中小企業處)
Website: Chinese, English
 
Equity Funding (Direct Investment)
Business Angel Investment Program (創業天使計劃) by National Development Fund of the Executive Yuan (行政院國家發展基金管理會)
Website: Chinese, English